On February 18, His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail, the Regent of Johor, presided over the opening ceremony of the Johor Malaysia Investment Facilitation Center (IMFCJ) located in Forest City. During an interview with The Star, Johor’s Assemblyman for Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs, and Human Resources, Lee Ting Han, stated that the center will provide a one-stop service platform to assist investors and companies looking to establish or expand their operations within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

The IMFCJ is a specialized agency established by the Malaysian government to optimize the investment environment and enhance business facilitation in Johor. As an integrated regulatory center, the IMFCJ is responsible for managing all investment matters in Johor—including the newly established Special Financial Zone (SFZ), and future projects aimed at attracting further investment. Acting as a bridge between investors and key government agencies, the center streamlines administrative processes and delivers efficient, convenient services.

The launch of the IMFCJ in Forest City marks an important milestone in the government’s efforts to improve the investment climate and boost administrative efficiency. As the first one-stop center jointly established by the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry and the Johor state government, the IMFCJ aims to simplify administrative procedures, accelerate approval times—reducing processing from 24 months to 14 months—and attract high-quality investment projects to Johor. This, in turn, will create more high-paying jobs and drive economic growth throughout Johor. The IMFCJ will also serve as the intermediary between investors and key agencies such as the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the Iskandar Regional Development Authority, the Johor Investment Promotion Board, the Inland Revenue Board, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Human Resources, the National Energy Company, and Telekom Malaysia. Its establishment is expected to significantly alleviate the administrative burdens faced by investors in Johor, further enhancing the ease of doing business and injecting new vitality into Forest City and the broader Iskandar region.

Among the prestigious institutions joining the IMFCJ are the IRDA (Iskandar Development Region Authority), MIDA, Invest Johor, and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). Additionally, Lee Ting Han revealed that related federal agencies such as the Customs Department, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and utility providers including the National Energy Company and Ranhill SAJ will also be invited to join the center. Their participation will provide robust professional support to the IMFCJ, expedite approval processes, and enhance coordination among all relevant units—thereby bolstering Johor’s economic development and reinforcing its status as a premier destination for global investors.

Lee Ting Han emphasized that, with the increasingly sophisticated commercial infrastructure, efficient administrative systems, and attractive investment incentives offered by the JS-SEZ, the region is set to become a catalyst for Johor’s economic transformation. This will attract more strategic investments in sectors such as technology, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and the digital economy. The CEO of MIDA also highlighted that, as Malaysia’s primary investment promotion agency, MIDA is committed to prioritizing investor convenience. By working closely with both federal and Johor state agencies to streamline processes and enhance support services, the JS-SEZ is being solidly positioned as one of the region’s leading investment destinations—attracting high-value investments and promoting sustainable economic growth.

Since the signing of the JS-SEZ agreement between Malaysia and Singapore on January 7, the Johor state government has actively pushed forward the development of the special zone, steadily implementing strategic initiatives to lay the foundation for success. With the IMFCJ now fully operational, Forest City will continue to embrace an open, inclusive, and innovative development philosophy. The city is committed to attracting high-tech industries that empower urban economic growth and to providing residents with a smarter, safer, and greener urban living experience.